Financial Safety Is A Vital Part of Recovery and Empowerment for People Impacted by Family Violence
Tracks
Monarch Room: In-Person Only
| Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
| 8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Chris Siemers, AFCA
Speaker
Chris Siemers
Ombudsman, Banking & Finance
AFCA
Financial Safety Is A Vital Part of Recovery and Empowerment for People Impacted by Family Violence
Presentation Overview
At AFCA, we recognise that family violence, including financial abuse and coercive control, can deeply affect a person’s autonomy, wellbeing, and ability to move forward. Through our work resolving financial complaints, we witness the resilience of individuals navigating complex systems shaped by past harm.
As a national external dispute resolution service, AFCA is uniquely positioned to support safer financial outcomes. We work at the intersection of financial institutions, consumers, and advocates, and we’re committed to ensuring our processes uphold dignity, choice, and fairness.
We’re currently finalising our updated Approach to Family Violence, which is planned to be published by November 2025, aligning with the timing of this conference. This living document reflects the voices of lived experience, sector expertise, and evolving financial practices. It aims to guide financial firms in responding with compassion, flexibility, and accountability.
We invite delegates to engage with us, challenge us, and collaborate with us. Our presentation will share insights into how AFCA’s Approach supports financial independence and ensures that people are not further disadvantaged by financial arrangements shaped by abuse. Together, we can help restore control, build trust, and contribute to long-term recovery.
As a national external dispute resolution service, AFCA is uniquely positioned to support safer financial outcomes. We work at the intersection of financial institutions, consumers, and advocates, and we’re committed to ensuring our processes uphold dignity, choice, and fairness.
We’re currently finalising our updated Approach to Family Violence, which is planned to be published by November 2025, aligning with the timing of this conference. This living document reflects the voices of lived experience, sector expertise, and evolving financial practices. It aims to guide financial firms in responding with compassion, flexibility, and accountability.
We invite delegates to engage with us, challenge us, and collaborate with us. Our presentation will share insights into how AFCA’s Approach supports financial independence and ensures that people are not further disadvantaged by financial arrangements shaped by abuse. Together, we can help restore control, build trust, and contribute to long-term recovery.
Biography
Chris brings over a decade of experience in external dispute resolution, with a strong focus on supporting people experiencing vulnerability and financial hardship. Chris began at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in January 2012 and has since developed deep expertise in assessing complex complaints with empathy, compassion, and fairness.
In February 2019, Chris was appointed as an Adjudicator at AFCA, specialising in banking complaints involving hardship and other vulnerable circumstances. Since joining the Ombudsman team in December 2022, Chris has continued to focus on decision-making in matters that require a balanced and compassionate approach, recognising the lived experiences of individuals.
Chris’s earlier work as a Financial Counsellor across three not-for-profit agencies in regional Victoria shaped his commitment to trauma-informed practice. He has also previously worked as a Financial Coach for a major bank, helping people who had been through hardship programs but were still working to regain financial stability.
Chris is part of the AFCA team who wrote and developed ‘the AFCA Approach to Family Violence’ and ‘Financial Abuse of Older People’. As a decision maker, Chris has a thoughtful, person-centred approach and navigates complex financial matters with a focus on equitable, compassionate, and fair outcomes.
